This past Wednesday, the Linsly hockey team faced off against Wheeling Park in the Bob Otten State Championship at WesBanco Arena. The Cadets had faced the Patriots two times prior to this meeting. The first game, Linsly fell to Park with a score of 6-1. The second game saw Wheeling Park again scrape a win with a score of 4-3.
The 2022 Bob Otten State Championship preliminary game started off with the recognition of Linsly’s five seniors: Adam Och, Captain Hunter Koch, Assistant Captain Mara Carlisle, Captain Alex Lehrke, and Jeb Bertram. Linsly started off with a rocky first period. With two goals scored by the Patriots, Linsly ended the first period down 2-0. The second period however, was a different story for the Cadets. Goals scored by freshman Matthew Scouvart and junior Luke Miller brought the Cadets back into the game, tying the score at 2-2 at the end of the second period.
With freshly cut ice, Wheeling Park and Linsly skated back into the game for what would no doubt be the most important, and final, period of the game. With goals scored by senior Hunter Koch and sophomore Ethan Carlisle, the first of his high school career, the Cadets were in a good position. However, the Patriots came back with four goals of their own. The final score was 6-4 in Wheeling Park’s favor. Even with this loss, Linsly has a chance to remain in the tournament, facing off against the Wheeling Central Maroon Knights. The game takes place on February 9 at WesBanco Arena. The puck will drop at at 6:00 PM, and this game will be the first time the Cadets and Maroon Knights will face off this season. With Central and Linsly’s intense rivalry, the game will certainly be exciting! The following seniors were honored during the team’s senior night:
Jebidyah Bertram
Bertram was escorted by his mother and father, Addie and Brian Bertram. He has been a member of the Linsly hockey team for 6 years, 2 years as a middle schooler, 4 years as a high schooler. In the 4 years of varsity hockey his proudest achievement is being a part of a team with so many great teammates. Outside of hockey, Bertram plays lead guitar in a rock band. After graduation he will be attending WVU to study law. Bertram’s funniest moment from his time with the Linsly hockey team is when he accidentally hit Coach Brad in the head with a puck at a tournament.
Adam Och
Och was escorted by his mother and father, Lee Ann and Craig Och. He has played hockey at Linsly for 5 years, 2 years as a middle schooler and only 3 as a high schooler due to an injury his sophomore year. Och’s proudest achievement is his first goal he scored as a varsity player freshman year and getting to celebrate with the team. Outside of hockey, Och enjoys working out, playing baseball, golf, and hanging out with his friends. He is undecided on a college for next year, but will be playing baseball and majoring in pre-dental science. His advice to younger teammates would be to keep the game fun, as senior year comes fast and you’ll miss this team. His funniest memory of the hockey team is when a former goalie launched his stick into the netting above the goal after letting in an OT goal. Och’s hero is his grandmother Jean Och because she’s a perfect example of putting your mind to something and making it happen.
Mara Carlisle
Carlisle was escorted by her mother and father, Rebecca and Dr. David Carlisle. Carlisle has been a member of the Linsly hockey team since her sophomore year. Her proudest achievement during her time on the hockey team is being voted assistant captain this year by her teammates. Outside of hockey, Carlisle enjoys skiing, running track, and hanging out with her friends. Carlisle is undecided on where she will be attending college, and is also undecided on her major. Her advice to younger teammates would be to never get discouraged, work hard, and enjoy your playing time because it will be over before you know it. Mara’s best memories are all the fun times she has had with the team over the years.
Alexander Lehrke
Lehrke was escorted by his mother and father, Marcie and Jason Lehrke. Lehrke has played on the Linsly hockey team for 6 years. His proudest achievement is being one of the senior captains on the team as leadership, integrity and grit are three traits he tries to incorporate in every aspect of life. Outside of hockey, Lehrke enjoys golfing, camping at Seneca Lake, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and eating good food. He will be attending West Virginia University next year to play hockey and major in civil engineering within the honors college. Lehrke’s funniest moment of the hockey team is the same as Adam Och’s, when the goalie let in an overtime goal and launched his stick into the netting. Lehrke would like to tell his younger teammates to live every moment to the fullest and enjoy every second of playing hockey. Lehrke’s hero is his grandfather, Jack McGovern. He passed away in November, but was always Lehrke’s biggest supporter and inspiration to never give up when times get tough.
Hunter Koch
Koch was escorted by his mother and step-father, Trista and Justin Cooey. Koch has played on the hockey team for 5 years: 1 as a middle schooler, 4 as a high schooler. His proudest achievement on the hockey team is making it to the state finals the past two seasons. Outside of hockey, Koch enjoys playing lacrosse and fishing. Koch will be attending either the University of Notre Dame or Otterbein University next year to play lacrosse and study mechanical engineering. His advice to younger teammates is to enjoy every second on the ice because it goes by quickly. His best memory from playing hockey at Linsly is playing spikeball at a hotel in Columbus with the team. Koch’s hero is his great grandmother, because she taught him many lessons and made him the person he is today.
